Drilling rig



C- C. FARQUE DRILLING RI-G Dec. 12, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 6, 1959 INVENTOR azrl llb/rzwq.

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4%. wows m mm Dec. 12, 1961 c. c. FARQUE 3,012,619

DRILLING RIG Filed Jan. 6, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 -I-IIIJII INVENTOR QJ'Z alargw Mail 64 @J4 9 um ATTORNEYS Dec. 12, 1961 Filed Jan. 6, 1959 C- C. FARQUE DRILLING RI-G 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 6'47'5 iflyuq,

BY I 1' i 4 a; a/ w 9! ZAMTTORIEYS Dec. 12, 1961 c. c. FARQUE 3,012,619

DRILLING RIG 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 6, 1959 a a a INVENTOR C'ar'i dlklyzze,

i112 M @444 Wm ATTORNEY6 UflltC S This invention relates to earth drilling machines and more particularly to a portable apparatus for rotary drilling wherein a derrick or mast is mounted on a base so that the rig may be transported from one drilling site to another.

Priorly, numerous types of portable drilling devices have been devised. However, these devices are subject to certain disadvantages. For example, in certain of these devices, when the mast is lowered onto the base or platform, the drive mechanism must be completely dis assembled. Further, the pull-down mechanism for exerting a downward force on the drill bit must be disassembled. One of these methods which has been employed to obviate these disadvantages is to employ a separate source of driving power slidably mounted on the mast unit. This source of driving power may be in the form of an electric or hydraulic motor. Also, in prior known devices complex drive mechanisms are employed to achieve the pull-down force on the drill and to rotatably drive the drill bit.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved portable drilling apparatus.

It is another object of this invention to provide a light. weight drilling apparatus of the chain pull-down type which is simple in construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved lightweight drilling device of the chain pulldown type wherein the pull-down mechanism is selfcontained within the mast to facilitate removal of the mast and pull-down assembly for ease of transport.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a drilling rig in which the drive shaft for the drill bit can be readily decoupled from the driving means and remain in the mast assembly during laydown and transport.

It is another object of this invention to provide a reversing mechanism for controlling the direction of rotation of the drill bit which facilitates the dismantling of the connected sections of drill pipe as they are raised to the surface.

Briefly, in accordance with aspects of this invention, a portable drilling device is provided in two basic unitsa base unit and a mast unit which is pivotally mounted on the base unit. The base unit comprises the single prime mover, driving linkages which are connected to a drive shaft rotatably mounted in the mast rig, a system of clutches for reversing the direction of drive and a winch for controlling the vertical movement of a portion of the mast assembly. The mast assembly includes a mast framework, a vertical drive shaft rotatably supported in the framework and a traveling table slidably supported on the mast framework. The traveling table supports the drilling pipe or shaft on which the drill bit is connected. The traveling table has a driving coupling connected between drilling pipe and drive shaft to rotate the drill while the traveling table moves vertically along the mast.

In accordance with other aspects of this invention, a pull-down cable assembly forms a portion of the mast assembly and is connected to the traveling table to impart vertical motion to the table in response to the application of power from the single prime mover. Advantageously, this pull-down cable assembly is mounted entes Patent tirely on the mast and moves with the mast so that when I the mast is lowered for moving the device to a new location, disassembly of the cable pull-down assembly is obviated. Also, advantageously, the vertically mounted drive shaft can be readily de-coupled from the driving means and remain in the mast assembly as the mast assembly is pivoted with respect to the base assembly from a vertical to a substantially horizontal position. These and various other objects and features of this invention will be apparent from a reading of the detailed description of the invention with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view in elevation of one illustrative embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view in elevation of a portion of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view in elevation of the illustrative embodiment shown in FIGURE 1' with the mast assembly pivoted from the vertical position;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view in elevation, partly in section, of one of the clutch members of the drive system;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view in elevation, partly in section, of right angle drive system employed to impart rotary motion to the vertically mounted drive shaft;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view in elevation, partly in section, of the traveling table shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of a mounting member for the mast assembly; and

FIGURE 8 is a plan view, partly in section of the drive shaft for the reversing mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURE 1 thereof, there is shown the general arrangement of the drilling rig which consists of anassembly of two separable units. The base unit 10 contains essentially the power source, various clutching and control arrangements, rotary driving means and mechanism for reversing the direction of rotary motion. 'The mast unit 12 is comprised mainly by the mast structure, a standing rotary drive shaft, traveling rotary table and a chain pull-down arrangement for placing downward pressure on the rotary drill pipe.

Referring next particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, all of the parts comprising the base unit 10 are mounted on the frame 13. Engine 14-, which preferably is a small gasoline-powered unit, has an output shaft 15 with drive pulley 17. Side plates 18 and 20, which are mounted vertically on frame 13, rotatably support clutch shaft 22 on which are mounted rotary clutch 24, rotary drive sprocket 26 and clutch shaft pulley 28. A V belt 30' is used to transfer power from drive pulley 17 to clutch shaft pulley 28. Rotary drive sprocket 26 is secured to the output of rotary clutch. 24 so as to turn only when rotary clutch 24 is engaged in order to transfer motion from clutch shaft 22. The main rotary driving means is comprised by rotary right angle drive unit 34, shown to an enlarged scale in FIGURE 5, which is driven via rotary driven sprocket 36 and drive chain 38. Output from the right angle drive unit 34 is taken from driving shaft to turn the standing drive shaft 40. In the forward driving or drilling position, rotary clutch 24 is engaged so as to cause drive sprocket 26 to rotate, thus moving drive chain 38 and thereby rotating sprocket 36 which drives right angle drive unit 34. Reversed rotary motion also is provided for in a manner which will be subsequently described.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, feed drive sprocket 42 is secured to the output of feed clutch 44 so as to turn only when feed clutch 44 is engaged to transfer motion from clutch shaft 22. Motion of feed drive sprocket 42 is transmitted by means of feed drive chain 46 to feed driven sprocket 48 which is secured to feed shaf t 50. Advantageously, shaft 50 also acts as a pivot point about which the mast assembly pivots, as will be subsequently explained. Also advantageously, this arrangement of driving connections permits the mast unit to pivot with respect to the base unit without having to uncouple the drive assembly. Reverse drive sprocket 53 also is secured to feed shaft 50. Mounted on, but not connected to, feed shaft 50 is the reversing mechanism comprised by reversing plate 52, reversing lever 54, reversing lever spring 56, reverse driven sprocket 58, reverse driven sprocket 60 and reverse drive chain 62. Reverse driven sprocket 58 is secured to sprocket 66 and engages the reverse driving chain 62, and also the rotary drive chain 38 when reversing lever 54 is actuated manually. In the normal or forward position reverse driven sprocket 58 is automatically disengaged from drive chain 38 through the action of reversing lever spring 56. A more detailed description of the reversing mechanism will be given later.

On feed shaft 50 are rotatably mounted, also, pulldown drive sprocket 64 and cable drum 68. When selector clutch 66, which is keyed to shaft 50, is in the center or neutral position, neither cable drum 68 nor pull-down drive sprocket 64 are connected to feed shaft 50. Alternatively, selector clutch 66 can be positioned by a lever, not shown, so as to rotate either pull-down drive sprocket 64 or cable drum 68. When pull-down drive sprocket 64 is rotated, the motion is transmitted by pull-down drive chain 70 to pull-down driven sprocket 72 which is rigidly fastened to pull-down shaft 74.

The mast unit 12 includes a mast framework of four cylindrical members 73, 75, 77 and 79 secured to pivotally mounted base plates 89 and 91. Pull-down shaft 74 is rotatably mounted in mast base plates 89 and 91 by means of suitable bearings, not shown. Pull-down sprockets 76 and 78 are secured to shaft 74. The pulldown chains 80 and 82 pass around the pull-down sprockets 76 and 78 and connect to the bottom side of cross yoke 84 on which is mounted the travelling table 86. Cables 83 and 85 are connected to travelling table 86 and pass over pull-down pulleys 88 and 90, respectively, and connect with pull-down chains 80 and 82 which engage sprockets 78 and 76. The pull-down pulleys 88 and 98 are rotatably mounted on pull-down pulley shaft 92, which is mounted in the mast crown member 94. It will be seen that the endless loops comp'ised by the pull-down chains 80 and 82, and the associated pull-down cables 83 and 85, are rotated by pull-down sprockets 76 and 78 so as to apply downward force oncross yoke 84 and travelling table 86.

Lightweight drill pipe 96, FIGURE 1, is screwed on the lower end of swivel spindle 98, FIGURES 3 and 6, which is mounted in travelling table 86. At its lower end drill pipe 96 passes through drill pipe guide 100, FIGURES l, 2 and 3, in base 13 and terminates in drill bit 102. Drill pipe 96 is rotated by chain drive mechanism in travelling table 86 which will be described in detail later. Power for travelling table 86 is furnished by standing rotary drive shaft 40 which is rotatably mounted in bearing 106 on mast cross member 107. When standing rotary drive shaft 40 is rotated by rotary driving shaft 130, drill pipe 96 is also rotated by the chain drive mechanism in the travelling rotary table 86. As drilling progresses, travelling rotary table 86 moves downwardly as guided by cross yoke 84, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, which bears against mast legs 73 and 75, and the standing rotary drive shaft 104. The pull-down force is applied simultaneously with pull-down chains 80 and 82 acting downwardly on travelling rotary table 86.

When upward motion of the travelling rotary table 86 is required, such as for adding lengths of drill pipe or pulling drill pipe out of the earth, a hoisting arrangement is utilized. Hoisting cable 110 is connected to hoisting eye 111, FIGURES 1, 3 and 6, on travelling rotary table 86, and passes over hoisting cable pulleys 113 and 115, FIGURES l and 3, and downward to cable drum 68, FIGURE 2. When feed clutch 44 is engaged and selector clutch 66 is positioned correctly, cable drum 68 is turned by feed shaft 50 so as to wind up hoisting cable and raise the travelling rotary table 86.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 4, the rotary clutch 24 will be described in some detail. Rotary clutch 24 is comprised by sleeve 112, pressure plate 114, friction disc 116, back plate 118 and housing 128. Rotary drive sprocket 26 is connected rigidly to housing 120, and through longitudinal splines 121 to friction disc 116, but is free to turn on clutch shaft 22. Sleeve 112 is free to slide on clutch shaft 22 and through arms 117 moves plate 114. The back plate 118, however, is connected by key 119 and splines 123 so as to rotate with clutch shaft 22. When sleeve 112 is moved to the right in FIGURE 4, such as by a lever, not shown, pressure plate 114 is forced inward so as to contact friction disc 116 which in turn engages back plate 118. Thus clutch housing and the rigidly connected rotary drive sprocket 26 are rotated. Whenever sleeve 112 is to the left in FIGURE 4, rotary drive sprocket 26 effectively idles on clutch shaft 22. Action and construction of feed clutch 44 is exactly similar to that of the rotary clutch 24 just described.

The construction and operation of rotary right angle drive 34 will noW be described with reference to FIG- URES 2 and 5. Rotary right angle drive 34 is comprised by: input shaft 124 supported on input shaft bearings 126 and 128; rotary driving shaft 130 supported by driving shaft bearings 132 and 134; rotary driving gear 136, and; right angle input gear 138. The rotary driving gear 136 and right angle input gear 138 are meshed so that motion of right angle input shaft 124 results in rotation of rotary driving shaft 130 when rotary driven sprocket 36 is turned.

Referring next to FIGURES l and 6, the travelling table 86 will be described. Rotary table housing 140 encloses a chain drive mechanism comprised by: rotary table drive sprocket 142 which is supported in rotary table drive sprocket bearings 144 and 146; rotary table driven sprocket 148 which is mounted on swivel spindle 98 so as to rotate in swivel spindle bearings 150 and 152, and; rotary table chain 154 which engages both drive sprocket 142 and driven sprocket 148. The center hole on rotary table drive sprocket 142 is square so as to slidably engage the square section of standing rotary drive shaft 40. Thus when standing rotary drive shaft 40 turns, rotary table drive sprocket 142 is turned causing drive chain 154 to move rotary table driven sprocket 148 and the swivel spindle 98. As shown in FIGURE 1, the drill pipe 96 is screwed to the lower end of swivel spindle 98, so that rotation of the standing rotary drive shaft 40 effec- -tively results in rotation of drill pipe 96. Drilling fluid from a pump, not shown, is introduced through swivel hose 156 which connects to the upper end of swivel spindle 98. As drilling progesses drill pipe 96 moves into the earth and travelling rotary table 86 moves downward on standing rotary drive shaft 40.

One of the novel features of this drilling rig is the simple but effective means provided for reversing the direction of rotation of the drill pipe 96. As will be appreciated, there are times during the drilling process when such rotation is desirable. For example, after each length of drill pipe 96 has been drilled into the earth, another length must be added in order to drill deeper. At this time travelling rotary table 86 has moved downward to a position near frame 13, and it is necessary to unscrew swivel spindle 98, by reverse rotation, from drill pipe 96. Similarly after the hole has been drilled, it is necessary to use reverse rotation of swivel spindle 98 to unscrew each length of drill pipe 96 from the next lower length as the entire drill pipe is raised to the surface. Since the direction of rotation of the standing rotary drive shaft 40 is determined by the movement of rotary drive sprocket 36, the desired reversal may be accomplished by changing the direction of travel of rotary drive chain 38. When rotary clutch 24 is engaged, rotary drive sprocket 26 is eifectively coupled to clutch shaft 22 and turns in the same direction as clutch shaft pulley 28. As a consequence rotary driven sprocket 36 is turned by rotary drive chain 38 in the same direction as clutch shaft pulley 28. It is essential of course, that reversing lever 54 be in the inoperative or downward position, as maintained by reversing lever spring 56, so that reverse driven sprocket 58 does not engage rotary drive chain 38. As viewed from above, standing rotary drive shaft 40 is turned in a clockwise direction and swivel spindle 98 is turned in the same clockwise direction, which results in tightening of the right hand thread joint between swivel spindle 98 and the upper end of drill pipe 96. The direction of rotation just described is the normal or forward position used for drilling into the earth.

To effect reversal of rotary motion of standing rotary drive shaft 40 and swivel spindle 98, rotary clutch 24 is first disengaged so that rotary drive sprocket 26 idles on rotary drive shaft 22 and rotary drive chain 38 is stationary. If not already engaged, feed clu-tch 44 is engaged so that feed drive sprocket 42 is effectively coupled to the clutch shaft 22. Feed driven sprocket 48 now is moved by feed drive chain 46 in the same direction as feed drive sprocket 42, which, in turn, moves in the same direction as clutch shaft pulley 28. Reverse drive sprocket 53, which is rigidly fixed to feed shaft 50, as is feed driven sprocket 48, also rotates and, by means of reverse drive chain 62, moves reverse driven sprocket 58 in the same direction. Next reverse lever 54 is moved upward so that reverse driven sprocket 58 is forced against the outside of rotary drive chain 38. Under these conditions rotary drive chain 38 is driven in a reverse direction, 'as compared to clutch shaft pulley 28, resulting in reversed rotation of rotary driven sprocket 36. As viewed from above, standing rotary drive shaft 40 turns in a counterclockwise direction and swivel spindle 98 is turned in the same direction, which results in loosening of the right-hand thread joint between swivel spindle 98 and the upper end of drill pipe 96 when the latter is prevented from rotation by use of a suitable tool.

It is desirable that the mast portion 12 of the drilling rig be capable of pivoting to a horizontal position, or removed entirely, to facilitate transport over diflicult terrain. The novel construction provides for laydown of the mast without removal of standing rotary drive shaft 40 or disconnection of pull-down chains 80 and 82. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the mast unit is comprised mainly of mast legs 73, 75, 77 and 79; mast base plates 89 and 91; mast crown member 94 with pull-down and hoisting shafts and pulleys; traveling rotary table 86 on cross yoke 84, standing rotary drive shaft 40, and; pulldown shaft 74 with pull-down sprockets 76 and 78 and pull-down driven sprocket 72 driven by pull-down drive chain 70. Advantageously, the entire mast unit is connected to frame members 18, 20 of the base unit at only the mast hinge pins 158 (FIGURES 1 and 3) and 168, not shown, which are coaxial with shaft 50. Since shaft 74 is mounted in mast base plates 76 and 78, the distance between shafts 50 and 74 does not change during pivoting of mast 12. Accordingly, it is not necessary to disconnect the drive chain 70 from sprockets 64 and 72 when mast 12 pivots. Standing rotary drive shaft 40 is constructed so as to be slidable in the vertical direction on rotary driving shaft 130, as shown in FIGURE 2. The inside of the lower end of standing rotary drive shaft 40 is hollow and fits over the square end of rotary driving shaft 130; thus 40 can slide up or down on, and be rotated by, rotary driving shaft 130. When it is desired to lay the mast unit down, standing rotary drive shaft 40 can be lifted clear of rotary driving shaft 130 by means of lifting collar 162. The upper end of shaft 40 then slides upward through the traveling rotary table 86 and rotary drive sleeve 106, but is retained within the mast structure. In order to support the lower end of standing rotary drive shaft 40 when the mast is laid down, the traveling rotary table 86 usually is lowered to the vicinity of lifting collar 162. Advantageously, the entire pulldown assembly is integral with the mast unit; pull-down chains and 82, and pull-down cables 83 and 85, are suspended between pull-down sprockets 76 and 7-8, on pull-down shaft 74, and pull-down pulleys 88 and 90, on pull-down shaft 92, in the mast crown member. Also the pull-down drive sprocket 64 is located on the mast hinge line between mast hinge pins 158 and 160, so that all the chains and cables remain tight and in place when the mast unit is lowered or removed. This operation is greatly facilitated as compared to usual designs in which the chains and cables must be rethreaded through clearance holes in the frame, and rematched with the sprockets, whenever the mast is removed and re-installed. In addition the cable drum 68 is located on the mast hinge line between mast hinge pins 158 and 160, so that the hoisting cable supporting travelling rotary table 86 also remains taut during laydown of the mast.

In FIGURE 3 the drilling rig is shown with the mast laid partially down to illustrate the manner in which the pull-down assembly and standing rotary drive 40 remain in position. The mast may be lowered, either manually or by auxiliary means not shown, about the hinge line defined between mast hinge pins 158 and 160. If it is desired to remove the mast assembly entirely, the split collars 166 (FIGURE 7) and 168, not shown, may be removed. Pull-down chain 70 must be removed from the associated feed driven sprocket; in addition hoisting cable 110 must be disconnected from hoisting eye 111.

What is claimed is:

1. In an earth boring assembly of the pull-down type, the combination comprising base means, power means mounted on said base means, mast means supported by said base means, a traveling rotary table slidably mounted on said mast means, a pair of spaced parallel plate members mounted on said base means and having a horizontal shaft rotatably mounted therein, said mast means being connected to said horizontal shaft for rotation relative thereto, pull-down means connected to said shaft and to said table for pulling down said rotary table, hoist means connected to said shaft and to said rotary table for raising said rotary table, transmission means including a polygonal shaft rotatably mounted in said mast means and connected to said rotary table, first flexible coupling means connecting said power means and said transmission means and second flexible coupling means connecting said power means and said shaft.

2. In an earth boring assembly according to claim 1 wherein said pull-down means includes a second shaft rotatably mounted on said mast means, a first sprocket mounted on said second shaft, a second sprocket mounted on said first-mentioned shaft, a chain connecting said first and said second sprockets and flexible coupling means connecting said second shaft and said rotary table.

3. In an earth boring assembly of the pull-down type, the combination comprising base means, power means mounted on said base means, mast means supported by said base means, a rotary table slidably mounted on said mast means, a pair of upright members mounted on said base means and having a first and a second shaft rotatably mounted in spaced parallel relationship therein, means pivotally mounting said mast means on said second shaft, flexible coupling means connecting said first and said second shaft, a third shaft rotatably mounted on said mast means, flexible coupling means connecting said second and said third shafts, flexible coupling means connecting said third shaft and said rotary table, means connecting said power means to said first shaft, transmission means including a polygonal shaft rotatably mounted in said mast means, flexible means connecting said transmission means to said first shaft, first clutch means for selectively controlling the coupling between said first shaft and said transmission means, second clutch means for controlling the coupling between said first and said second shafts and third clutch means for controlling the coupling between said second and said third shafts.

4. In the earth boring assembly according to claim 3 further including an auxiliary sprocket secured to said second shaft, first and second idler sprockets rotatably mounted in spaced relation to said auxiliary sprocket, said idler sprockets being secured to a common shaft, flexible coupling means connecting said auxiliary sprocket and said idler sprockets and means for selectively engaging one of said idler sprocekts with said flexible coupling means at two distinct points on opposite sides of said flexible coupling means between said first shaft and said transmission means whereby the direction of rotation of said transmission means can be selectively reversed.

5. In the earth boring assembly according to claim 4 further including drum means rotatably mounted on said second shaft, pulley means mounted on said mast means, flexible connector means connecting said drum means and said rotary table and passing around said pulley means and clutch means for selectively coupling said drum means to said second shaft whereby said drum means raises said rotary table.

eferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 417,352 Bartholomew Dec. 17, 1889 2,334,312 Caldwell Nov. 16, 1943 2,509,410 Applegate May 30, 1950 2,622,847 Baldry Dec. 23, 1952 2,643,858 Hardman June 30, 1953 2,673,712 Loock Mar. 30, 1954 2,754,085 Sewell et al. July 10, 1956 2,792,198 Braun May 14, 1957 

